Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has demanded that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka clarify allegations of bribery involving several members of the Bung Karno University (UBK) Faculty of Law and Faculty of Economics Student Executive Boards (BEM) during last week's demonstrations. This demand was voiced by the Chairperson of the PDI-P Central Executive Board, Deddy Sitorus.
According to him, Gibran must openly explain the alleged cash flow to the students, including details surrounding an audience held with the UBK student representatives at the Vice Presidential Palace.
"Although it may be hard for the public to accept, it is impossible that he did not know. But he needs to speak up," Deddy said at the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
He added that Gibran also needs to reveal the origin of the alleged Rp20 million bribe received by the student group. According to the politician of the opposition party, an official explanation from the administration is needed to dispel swirling public speculation.
"It might be money from extortion, or is there a political operation involved? This needs to be made clear," Deddy said.
He considers the bribery controversy involving protesting students to have the potential to tarnish the government's image. Moreover, he continued, the Vice President's name has now been implicated in the matter.
There has been no official statement from Gibran Rakabuming Raka regarding the alleged bribery of UBK students. The Acting Secretary of the Vice President, Al Muktabar, and the Special Staff of the Vice President, Suwardi, have not responded to confirmation attempts up to the time of writing.
UBK student leader's confessions
Previously, the Chairperson of BEM FH UBK, Muhammad Abdimaludin, admitted to accepting bribes. The coordinator of the "Tata Ulang Indonesia" movement claimed that the cash was funneled by university alumni through the police.
Based on Abdi's confession, the alumni requested that the UBK student body refrain from staging their protest near the Presidential Palace area in Jakarta on June 15. The demonstrators were also reportedly asked to agree to a meeting with Gibran at the Vice Presidential Palace following their rally.
The BEM FH UBK chair admitted to using the bribe money for his personal needs. Abdi stated that the funds had also been distributed among UBK alumni, members of BEM FH UBK, and members of BEM FE UBK. "Rp2.5 million went to two alumni, Rp2 million to my deputy, Rp2 million to Mubarak, and Rp2 million to BEM FE UBK," he detailed.
UBK suspends BEM leader pending probe
In response, UBK has moved to suspend Abdi's student status. The Vice Rector III of UBK, Daniel Panda, stated that the suspension decision was finalized after the rectorate received a direct confession from Abdi regarding the receipt of the Rp20 million bribe by the BEM members.
"As stated by the Rector, today we have suspended the individual in question," Daniel announced during a press conference at the UBK Campus in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
With this suspension, he noted, all of Abdi's activities no longer represent BEM UBK or the university until the official completion of the internal probe.
In this investigation, he explained, UBK will summon and examine several witnesses and individuals suspected of being involved in the alleged bribery case tied to the June 15 BEM UBK demonstration.
"The BEM FH, FE, and several other students will be cross-checked, including witnesses and individuals involved in this entire process," Daniel said.
In addition, the university is not ruling out the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on the BEM UBK members who received the alleged bribes. Daniel stated that the university will thoroughly investigate facts related to several students as part of the ongoing inquiry.
He stated that the severity of the sanctions to be imposed on any BEM members proven to have violated regulations or tarnished the university's reputation will strictly weigh the extent of the offense committed. "The imposition of sanctions will be carried out in accordance with UBK's existing regulations," Daniel concluded.
– Andi Adam contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2110135/pdip-asks-vp-gibran-to-clarify-student-bribe-allegation